Driving overseas

INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation of your current Australian Driver’s Licence in nine languages. Your IDP is proof that you hold a current domestic driver’s licence and it is only valid if you carry your domestic driver’s licence with your IDP. An IDP is a requirement for renting a motor vehicle in many countries. It is also helpful for tourists who find themselves in need of identification or assistance.

An IDP costs $39 AUD plus postage and can take up to 3-8 business days, to be processed and delivered in Australia. An IDP is valid for 12 months from the issue date (purchase date), unless your domestic drivers’ licence expires, is suspended, or revoked in the meantime. It is highly recommended travellers obtain a valid IDP prior to leaving Australia.

You can check to see if you will need an IDP using the search tool below.

Brazil

Breakdown and towing service available 24 hours a day everyday for its members. Motorist from other countries can call the service from 0800 to 2000hours Monday to Friday when a Spanish-speaking attendants are available.

Curacao

Cyprus

IDP Required

Yes

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CY

Club

Cyprus Automobile Association (CAA)

Reciprocal Services

Breakdown and towing services are free for members of an AIT or FIA club. For major repairs, the car is towed to nearest town which has a garage. However a fee is payable on the spot if the driver wishes to have his car towed from one town to another within Cyprus.

Germany

IDP Required

Yes

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D

Club

Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club e.V (ADAC)

Reciprocal Services

Breakdown assistance is provided free of charge by the yellow vehicles of ADAC -Strassenwacht to members of FIA Clubs depending upon availability. If no vehicle available ADAC appoint agents and fees are payable. Motorist must show their FIA membership.
T: 01802 22 22 22 (24hrs)

Japan

Members on presentation of their valid membership card (FIA logo) will be provided the same services as JAF members. For up to one year from the date of arrival in Japan. Towing service available up to 15km JYP 720/km is payable if it exceed this allowance.
T: 8139 or 0570 00 8139

New Caledonia

New Zealand

IDP Required

No

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NZ

Club

New Zealand Automobile Association (NZAA)

Reciprocal Services

Visitors to New Zealand who are members of FIA Clubs are entitled to Standard AA membership for 6 months free of charge. Members should visit an AA Centre to register as soon as possible after arrival in New Zealand. T: 0800 500 222 with landline phone (toll free) or *222 with mobile phone.

Philippines

IDP Required

You can drive in the Philippines with Australian Drivers Licence for a max. 90 days. After this period you are required to obtain a Philippine driver’s licence. Obtained through The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the Philippines

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

IDP Required

Recommended

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GB

Club

RAC Motoring Service (RAC)

Reciprocal Services

The AA can provide roadside assistance, and a local tow if required, but only if the memver is in the UK for Less than 90 days. For members staying in the UK beyond 90 days, the AA can provide details of local garages and propose membership options. In the cas of a problem with a rental vehicle in the UK, visitors must use the breakdown assistance provided by the rental company. Tel: +44 800 028 9018

United States of America

IDP Required

Recommended

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USA

Club

American Automobile Association (AAA)

Reciprocal Services

AAA is no longer a member of the FIA since April 2010. Visiting motorist can obtain some services in case of a breakdown or touring information. Majority of car rental companies require an IDP for hiring. Check with your rental company prior to leaving Australia. Drivers are advised to carry an IDP as it is easily recognised by the authorities in the case of an accident or traffic violation. The minimum age required to drive varies from state ot state.

Vanuatu

Vatican City

Venezuela

IDP Required

Yes

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Club

Reciprocal Services

Contact Details

Vietnam

IDP Required

Only IDP’s under the 1968 convention are accepted.The Australian Government has signed the 1949 UN Convention.
Non-Vietnamese citizens without a 1968 IDP are only allowed to drive in Vietnam if they hold a temporary Vietnamese driving licence. A visa valid for at least 3 months is required.
In order to convert a foreign driving licence into a temporary Vietnamese driving licence the driver must apply to:
Office of Traffic and Public Works
16 Coa Ba Quat Street
Hanoi
Office o fTransportation
63 Ly Tu Trong Street
District 1 Ho Chi Minh

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VN

Club

0

Reciprocal Services

0

Contact Details

Australians wanting to obtain a drivers licence in Vietnam please visit website of the Australian Embassy or Consulate-General in Vietnam

Wallis and Futuna

IDP Required

No

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Right

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Club

Reciprocal Services

Contact Details

Yemen

IDP Required

No

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Club

Reciprocal Services

Contact Details

Zambia

IDP Required

Yes

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Club

Reciprocal Services

Contact Details

Zimbabwe

IDP Required

Yes

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ZW

Club

The Automobile Association of Zimbabwe (AAZ)

Reciprocal Services

Breakdown and towing service operates 24 hours. Small recovery fleet which operates within a limit of 100km. T: 263 4 776 760.

IMPORTANT: The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) is the only authority duly authorised to sell IDPs in Australia on behalf of the Australian Government. The Australian Government is party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. An IDP from the AAA must have the AAA Logo and official stamp. Any IDP that is not issued by the AAA in Australia is fraudulent.

WHY DO I NEED AN IDP?

If you are travelling overseas and intend on driving it is recommended to have an IDP.

An IDP may be required for renting a motor vehicle in many countries and is helpful for tourists who find themselves in need of identification or assistance.

An IDP provides inexpensive additional security.

IDPs are officially sanctioned by the United Nations and accepted worldwide (in over 150 countries);

In some countries you may be asked to surrender your passport under certain circumstances. An IDP provides an extra photo ID in nine languages which you can always carry with you;

IDPs are a special permit for tourists, authorised by a United Nations Treaty for the purpose of allowing motorists to drive internationally without further tests or applications provided their domestic drivers licence is valid;

An IDP is proof that you hold a valid drivers licence in your home country at the date of issue of the IDP and should be carried with your domestic drivers licence;

Note: An IDP is only valid if you hold a current Australian Driver’s Licence. You may be asked to provide proof of travel and/or return dates to Australia, as an IDP is designed for touring purposes and anyone residing in another country for a lengthy period should apply for a licence in that country.

FRAUDULENT IDP WARNING

Counterfeit IDPs are being offered for sale on the internet, usually at inflated prices. These forged IDPs are illegal and can get the holder into a great deal of difficulty with the traffic authorities in various countries. In Australia only the Australian Automobile Association, through the State and Territory Motoring Clubs, is authorised to issue IDPs.

Frequently Asked Questions

lookingforQWhat is the fastest way to obtain an IDP?

A

You can obtain an IDP immediately at a shopfront of your local state/territory motoring club. Note: not all shop fronts offer the IDP service. Check the relevant websites to ensure your local branch can assist you. IDP application lodged through the AAA online or by post, please allow up to 5-8 business days for processing and postage, within Australia.

lookingforQHow long will it take to receive my IDP?

A

Please allow between 3-8 business days to receive your IDP depending on the state in which you live. Your IDP will be processed by a local Australian Motoring Club. It is then provided to Australia Post to deliver your IDP. If the postal address is overseas then the delivery time is determined by the International postage service based on location and distance from Australia. Some motoring clubs will provide a tracking number once your order is completed to track your IDP.

lookingforQCan I apply for an IDP while I’m travelling overseas?

A

Yes. You can apply online or download the application form, print it and then post it to your state/territory motoring club. When lodging an IDP application you can enter an overseas address for delivery. Note: International delivery times will depend on overseas postage services.

lookingforQHow do I replace my IDP if I have lost it?

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